Unesco Approves Full Membership for Palestinians…
…by a vote on Monday of 107 to 14, with 52 abstentions.
On Tuesday Juan Cole has a helpful analysis along with a good question: What if the Palestinians apply to join the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)? What would we do then? His over-all point: The U.S. is downgrading its influence in the international arena. Juan Cole.
And the always knowledgeable Ha’aretz has the answer:”With UNESCO membership granted, Palesinians seek to join 16 more UN agencies.
And for those able to absorb more on this subject, two other commentators:
M.J. Rosenberg: “The UNESCO Mess. It was bound to happen sooner or later. At some point, both the president and Congress would be faced with a clear choice between U.S. national interests and the demands made by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his powerful Washington lobby.”
Bernard Avishai: “…the thing nobody seems able to explain is what possible interest Israel, or even the Netanyahu government, has in keeping Palestinians out of an organization that focuses on the the sharing of scientific information and universal artistic and cultural values?”
And the inevitable lemming-rush over the cliff: “Senator predict massive U.S. withdrawal from international organizations.” Let’s see, will that include the Red Cross? Boy Scouts? Girl Scouts? WHO? Interpol?
Okay this is the last one: Victoria Nuland, State Dept. Spokesperson explains U.S. vote on UNESCO! Here. Theater of the Absurd under the heading, “Middle East Peace.”
Ah, the price of pride.
So if the US must now cut off funds to UNESCO, does that mean we ourselves will no longer be a member state (again?)
It looks like the U.S. will no longer be a member, but that’s unclear at the moment. If anyone sees anything definitive, please post it.
Here’s an immediate answer from Victoria Nuland, State Department spokesperson:
“Nuland went on to say the U.S. would refrain from making a $60 million payment it planned to make in November.
“But she said the U.S. would maintain membership in the body.”
Probably the U.S. Congress will object to that.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/u-s-cuts-funding-for-unesco-after-palestinian-vote-1.392996
Shame on Obama. In light of his kowtowing to the Israeli lobby, I’m asking myself if he’s gonna’ get my vote next time around.
(And, no, the other party’s candidate won’t be getting it.)
I’m ashamed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=CEGuvuSe0q4#t=76s
Here’s some far in the back background. How terribly sad.
Moshe Dayan’s Widow Ruth: Zionist Dream Has Run Its Course
Oct 30, 2011 10:00 AM EDT
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2011/10/30/moshe-dayan-s-widow-ruth-zionist-dream-has-run-its-course.html
Canada and Germany alos voted against and the UK and Italy abstained – I guess we weren’t the only ones who wondered if this was not a good idea.
Will the other naysayers withdraw their financial support of UNESCO?
The US withdrew its $60 million because it was legally obliged to do so. It wasn’t an arbitrary decision.
Not arbitrary, but not very smart!
Well, you could say that of both sides, no? The people helped are the Palestinian politicians and the people hurt are those UNESCO has been helping or might have helped. “I’ll cut off your nose to spite my enemy.”
Our government, not the Palestinians, is cutting the funds that help others.
The Palestinians and the great majority of UNESCO members deliberately walked into the trip wire, setting off the withdrawal. They decided that the Palestinian cause trumped that of the people UNESCO was helping. It was really their call, and the cut in funding is their responsibility, not that of the US, which merely didn’t cave in to pressure and rush to change the law.
Of course, one may consider that they were in the right. It does at least suggest, though, that they don’t think the work UNESCO has been doing is all that important.
“Of course, one may consider that they were in the right. It does at least suggest, though, that they don’t think the work UNESCO has been doing is all that important.”
David, do you have any idea what UNESCO is?